1
"Maybe he had surgery," Holly Short said, "Let's get out of here." Double time, Commander. Before I pass out again.
"No," Root said. He looked back at his female officer.
Holly's head clouded up. Her vision blurred. She tried to focus on her commander, but the whole terminal spinned. Her gun clattered to the stone floor.
Get me out of here! I'm going to pass out, and then we're all going to die! Oh my god, is he just going to stand there? I need help. Maybe I should say it out loud.
Holly tried. She really did. But her mouth just wouldn't form actual words.
Behind her visor, Holly's eyes were distant and unfocused. They rolled in their sockets, looking for something. It took the Commander a couple of moments to realize she was looking for him. Julius covered the distance between him and Holly just in time to catch the Fairy-elf as her legs buckled beneath her.
Root manually activated Holly's wings. As the elf drifted towards the door, uncontiousness hit her-hard. Her head rolled to one side.
"Foaly, you getting this?" Commander Root asked into his helmet-mike, "We need an ambulance."
"What happened to her, Julius?" The centaur asked cautiously.
"How should I know? I'm not a doctor. She was fine one minute and like this the next."
A stretcher was waiting for Holly and Root when they came out of the terminal. Julius lifted the uncontious elf onto the stretcher, after detaching her wings. Commander Root was not allowed to ride with Holly to the clinic.
"She's a strong elf," The warlock paramedic said, "The strongest I've ever seen. She's stronger than me, but a bit weaker than a demon warlock. She has major self-control, but could easily fry your brain."
"Major self-control? She certainly doesn't like to follow orders."
"Think of it this way, Julius," Foaly chimed in, "If she didn't have major self-control, you, and quite a few others, would be dead."
"Don't call me Julius!" Root barked. He and Foaly followed the ambulance to the clinic.
"I don't get it," The Commander said as the LEP transport shuttle weaved its way through the crowded Haven streets, "Why didn't Holly just tell us about this magic thing?"
"What? The part about her being a descendant of King Frond and having major magical powers? Cause we would have treated her differently," Foaly replied, stamping his hoof, "and she absolutely hates being treated differently. But look at her sister, and the amount of magic that she has. Holly is from the same gene pool, so, shouldn't she be similar to Jenna? And anyway, Holly already told us one of her secrets. The major one in her life."
"True enough. Can't this bucket go any faster?"
"Sorry Commander, I don't control traffic."
"You do now. Get us through this jam!"
Foaly pressed a button and all the lights changed.
The ambulance got a free ride through the city. But even with the light change, it took Foaly and Root almost half an hour to get through. By the time they reached the hospital, Holly had a bed in the intensive care unit.
"We don't really know what's wrong with her," Said the nurse who showed them in, "She's just lying there, uncontious. We had to issue her a modified sprite clinic gown, but otherwise, she seems perfectly happy and healthy. She-"
"Hang on. Why did you give her a sprite gown? She's an elf." Foaly questioned.
"See for yourself." The nurse led them around a corner and into a small room. Holly was lying on a bed in the corner. Her face was pale as a ghost, which frightened the fairies because Holly's usual colour was a rich, coffee-coloured brown, but otherwise she looked perfect. Except-
"Well I never" Foaly and Root stared at Holly, stunned. Because on Holly's back was a pair of wings.
No1 poked his head through the door, surprising everyone enough to pull them out of their trance, "We heard Holly was sick and came to see her," The young demon warlock explained, "She looks really bad. Wings? Weird." Qwan followed through the door.
"Oh gods," Qwan muttered, "I haven't seen this for several thousand years."
"What? The wings on an elf? The fact that she is a descendant of King Frond?"
"Both. She's evolving," Replied the old warlock, "We need to get her to the surface. She needs a green space and natural light to complete the process."
"Getting her to the surface is easy, but where are we going to find a space with no threat of humans?"
Foaly glanced at Root and spoke two words, "Artemis Fowl"
"Of course." Root growled.
As Root was preparing to contact Artemis, he was taking his four-year-old twin brothers down to the stables to see their ponies with Butler.
"Myles, stay on the path. Beckett, that mud is not for jumping in. Don't make me take you back. You won't get to see Red until tomorrow if you keep this up."
"Wow, Artemis. You're getting good at this big brother thing." Butler commented casually.
"It's easier than some things I've done," He responded. The communicator ring that Holly had given him beeped once, "Butler, can you take the twins? I have to take this call."
"Of course. Say hi to Holly for me, and Julius. It's really weird that No1 brought him back from the dead, is it not?"
"Tell me about it" Artemis answered, and then hurried down the path.
Artemis flicked the setting on the communicator to project. But instead of the hologram being of Holly, it was of Root.
"What happened to Holly?" he demanded.
"By gods, Mud Boy, do you read minds now too?"
"No. This is Holly's communicator. She's the only one who has it."
"Oh, yeah. Look, Artemis, we need to get Holly above ground. Do you know of any green spaces that have no threat of being invaded by other Mud Men who don't know about us?
"Yes"
"Where?"
"Here. We've got a few acres of untouched grassland behind the manor."
"Perfect. Get your family out of the house."
"When will you be here?"
"As soon as we can."
"Butler, we have a problem," Artemis called, "We must get Mother, Father, and the twins out of the manor now. I don't know the details, but something is wrong with Holly. There bringing her here soon." The teenager continued up the pathway. "Mother," he called when he entered the house, "Mom, I have to talk to you."
Angeline Fowl descended the stairs, "What is it, Arty?" She asked.
"My friends are coming. I need at least Father and the twins out of the manor for the entire afternoon, perhaps part of the evening."
Mrs. Fowl nodded. After all, she knew all about the fairies. "That shouldn't be a problem."
Mrs. Fowl removed herself, Mr. Fowl, and the twins from the manor fairly easily. The fairies arrived just minutes after they left. Artemis gasped when he saw Holly being unloaded on a stretcher.
"What is wrong with her?" he asked, "Why does she have her wings on?"
"No time, Fowl, we have to do this now or we loose her." Root said.
"Thanks, Artemis" Foaly said.
"Loose her? What are you talking about?"
"We don't really know what's wrong with her. Qwan has a theory, but we don't know. Apparently, this hasn't happened in a couple thousand years."
"What hasn't happened?" Artemis exclaimed, "Come on, People. I've given up my land, and you still won't tell me?"
But there was no time for explanations. Holly screamed on the gurney. A blood-curdling scream that almost made Artemis throw up. It was the kind of sound that could make even the most compassionless psychopath feel remorse. The bonds tying her to the board melted away. Holly shrieked in pure agony. "JENNA! CARLISLE!" she cried. Butler held Root back from running to her, to fill in for her missing brother and sister. Holly was engulfed by a pod of blue, gold, and violet light and levitated five feet above the ground. This went on for several minutes. Then the light dispersed. Slowly, Holly came back to Earth. As soon as her feet touched the ground, she collapsed, her legs not able to carry her own weight. The elf's body was shaking, and tears streamed down her cheeks unchecked.
Artemis, Foaly, Root, and another LEP elf whom Artemis didn't know, were at her side in a instant. Holly opened her eyes. For a second, they were not the usual hazel and blue, but a strange violet. It was the same colour as Jenna's eyes. Then they were back to normal. She choked in a breath of air and struggled to sit up, coughing up a mysterious mucus-like mixture all the while. The mysterious elf dashed behind her to support her back.
"Exactly as I said." Qwan whispered to No1, oblivious to Holly's obviously excruciating pain.
"Eric" Holly said weakly, her voice straining with the simple name.
"I'm right here, honey."
Honey? Artemis thought.
"Artemis," Holly breathed, "Julius. Foaly. Thank you for everything. This is Eric Skystar."
"And let me introduce you to the future Mrs. Holly Skystar." Eric said, peering between Holly's pointy ears.
"What? So you're engaged now are you Holly?" Foaly stuttered, "When did this happen?"
Holly blacked out for a few seconds, "Two weeks ago," Holly responded when she regained consciousness, gazing up at Eric, who was kneeling behind her, "The wedding is planned for July."
"That's only three months away." Root said.
"Three months is enough time," Eric responded, "Holly started planning with Cameron the day I proposed."
"I didn't know you were much for planning, Holly." Artemis teased.
"That was then, this is now."
"Holly," Root said urgently, "We need to get out of here before
Artemis' family returns. Can you walk?"
The elf struggled to to her feet and stayed upright for a few seconds, but then her legs gave way and she crumpled into Artemis, "Nope. Can't do that yet," She replied, laughing, "But I probably can do this." She lifted of into the air. It was only then that Artemis realized her wings were part of her body, not a machine strapped to her body.
"How did she grow wings?" He asked, astonished.
"According to Qwan, she evolved," Foaly responded, "It's really weird, I know. The doctors said she was really strong. More magical than an elfish warlock, but still a bit weaker than No1 and Qwan. She could easily melt the brain of everyone on and under the planet if she got angry."
"Then why am I still alive? Why is Opal Koboi still alive?"
"Apparently she's got 'major' self-control" The centaur answered.
"Weird."
"Yep. Look at Root. He can hardly speak. This is probably going to give him a heart attack and then he's going to die all over again."
Three months later, Root still hadn't gotten used to the fact that Holly was getting married. He never thought of Holly 'tying the knot' anytime soon. It didn't help that the elf kept having fainting spells at any given moment, including in the middle of missions. Qwan had said that they would last for only a few more months when Holly had fainted in the middle of a Recon with Trouble Kelp and had nearly gotten herself killed. Root had taken her out of Active duty after that. But when the younger elf had asked him to hand her off to Eric like her father would have had he still been part of her life-and not the sick pervert he actually was-Julius had graciously accepted.
Of course, Holly had asked Artemis, Butler, and Juliet to the wedding. She had asked her half-sister and half-brother, Jenna Greenleaf and Carlisle Cullen, but they had been unavailable. Holly understood. With both of them being vampires, it would be too hard for them to be underground, breathing air saturated with Fairy and fairy blood. Holly had appointed her best friend and Eric's only younger sister, Cameron, to be her only bridesmaid. Cameron's son and daughter, 25 year old Kim and 5 year old Seth were to be in the wedding too.
The day of the wedding was apon her, and Holly was a nervous wreck. She fanatically called Artemis, who was preparing to board a shuttle to the Lower Elements.
"Hey, Holly."
"Artemis, thank you. It's great to hear your voice."
"And yours, Holly. How are you feeling?" Artemis asked, sensing the tension in her voice.
"Like I've been dipped in animal fat."
"Oh. It's that bad?" Animal fat was poison to fairies. It turns their own power rancid.
"That and worse. I've spent most of the time I've been awake over the toilet. But you didn't need to know that."
"Isn't Cameron there?"
"No. And she won't be for another half hour. I'm really sorry to bother you now, but I'm an absolute basket case right now. I just need someone to talk to until she shows up."
"Well, I've got about an hour until the shuttle leaves, so I'm all ears."
"Okay. What do you want to talk about?"
"Let's start at the beginning of our friendship."
"Agreed."
They talked for about fifteen minuets. When they got to the part where Holly had died and then Artemis had brought her back to life, Holly had to excuse herself. She left the communicator's receiver face up, so Artemis could hear her throw up noisily.
"Holly," Artemis said when she returned to the phone, "You'll do absolutely fine. This is Eric we're talking about. Come on, you're a decorate LEP officer. You and Eric have been dating for years. And Root won't let you fall in the isle. He'll pinch you if you faint again. Just think of it as another mission. It's no more than an obstacle to overcome. You can do it."
"I'm surprised, Artemis. You really know how to raise a girl's spirits."
"Correction. A woman's spirits. Like it or not, that's what you are, Holly."
Holly laughed, "Thanks, Arty."
There it is again, Artemis thought, Arty.
"Cameron just showed up. See you at the ceremony, Arty. Try not to let me do anything stupid."
"Don't think like that Holly. This may very well be the best day of your life," Artemis said, "Bye."
"Goodbye. Have a good shuttle flight."
"Alright, I'll try."
Six hours later, Artemis, Butler, and Juliet sat at the back of a beautifully decorated wedding chapel.
"Wow, Holly really outdid herself." Artemis whispered to Butler.
"Yes. The only wedding I've been to that was grander than this was
your parent's." The large bodyguard agreed.
Eric was standing beside the priest, and beside him was seven of his brothers. The music started. Cameron began the slow march down the
isle, followed by Kim and Seth. A hush fell over the crowd. Holly entered the isle, arms linked with Julius.
Holly was absolutely breathtakingly beautiful. She wore an floor-length white dress that hugged her thin, fit figure. She looked like an angel. Her veil was translucent, almost opaque. But everyone could see her beaming smile.
"Looks like she got over her anxiety." Juliet whispered. Artemis had told them about his conversation with Holly that morning.
Holly's strapless dress opened up to reveal most of the elf's back. It framed her body perfectly. She carried a bouquet of pink lilies in one hand. The veil she wore also had pink lilies.
But one aspect of Holly's appearance surprised Artemis more than anything, even her wings. Holly had had a crew cut for as long as Artemis had known her. But now- now it was beyond belief. The elf's auburn hair framed her facial features and then went straight as an arrow to her waist.
The six elves reached the stage and climbed the steps. Root placed Holly's free hand in Eric's and took his place in the front row.
Vows between the elves were exchanged fairly quickly. They had their arms around each other and were kissing in a matter of minutes.
The guests, following the bride and groom, filed into the ballroom for the reception party. Holly started off the dancing with Root, and then Eric cut in. Foaly danced a bit with Holly and then went off with his wife. Half an hour into the party, Holly ran and grabbed Artemis.
"Come on, Mud Boy. Are you just going to stand there? Loosen up. Let's dance," She and Artemis went out onto the floor, "You were right, Arty," Holly said, "This is the best day of my life. Thank you."
"You're very welcome. Congratulations, Mrs. Skystar."
Holly laughed. They danced in sighlence for a while, and then Eric cut in. Artemis was then claimed by Cameron, Kim, and quite a few fairies he didn't know. At last, he was dancing with Juliet.
After his short dance with Butler's sister, Artemis left the dance floor.
"Wow, Artemis. You're quite popular tonight." Butler said.
"The only one more popular than you is Holly." Juliet laughed, coming up behind him. She had dressed up for the occasion, too, wearing a low-cut emerald green dress that perfectly matched her eyes.
Artemis looked out onto the floor. Holly was invisible in a crowd of fairies. But with his extra height, he easily picked her out. Holly pushed her way out of the group and then shielded. Artemis put on his shield-filtered sunglasses.
He motioned for Cameron and Juliet to follow him. They quietly followed Holly progress until they found her, unshielded, throwing up noiselessly behind the chapel. Artemis and Juliet stayed hidden, but Cameron continued to her side. It was not a pretty sight.
"Holly?" Cameron whispered, "Are-."
"No," Holly moaned, "I'm not okay. I thought it was just nerves this morning, but it's something more. And all that fainting...oh, oh, oh!"
"Come on, we'll take you to the hospital."
"What about Eric?"
"Artemis will get him, won't you?"
"Of course," Replied the Irish boy, stepping out from behind the trees, "Meet you at the shuttle in five?"
Cameron nodded, and then held Holly's hair as she threw up again.
Artemis and Juliet raced into the hall, "You get Butler, I'll grab Eric" he told her. They split up.
Artemis grabbed Eric and pulled him out of the ballroom.
"What are you doing, Mud boy? Kidnapping me like you did Holly?"
"Just shut up and follow. For Holly's sake."
"Holly's sake? What?"
Artemis spinned around to face Eric. "Look, Eric. Holly's really sick. We're taking her to the hospital and she wants you to be with her."
"Well, why didn't you say so?" Eric yelled over his shoulder, already running to Holly and Cameron. Butler, Juliet, and Root were by the transport.
"Come on, Arty, let's go!" Juliet called, "Cameron and Holly went ahead. Holly's really bad."
The weaved through the streets to the hospital, making it in record time. Artemis and Eric went ahead.
"She's in room 123 of the maternity ward," The nurse said helpfully.
"Thank you" Artemis responded, not even bothering to process what the girl had said. He and Eric bounded to Holly's door and knocked quietly. Cameron let them in.
"Wow, you guys look like you ran all the way here." Holly joked, her usual high spirits returned to her. She was lying on a hospital bed. It looked to Artemis like she had a pillow on her torso. But then something clicked.
"Maternity ward. Maternity ward. Why didn't I see that?" He groaned.
"See what?" Eric questioned.
Artemis was about to open his mouth when Holly spoke, "I'm pregnant," she announced, "With twins. That's why I've been fainting so
much."
Eric looked like he was about to faint, "Pregnant? Twins? My twins?" he muttered. Then he broke out in a smile, "Oh, Holly! We're going to be parents!"
"I know!"
"Twins?" Butler said, poking his head through the door, "What's this about the twins?"
"Not Miles and Beckett. Holly's twins" Artemis said as Root and Juliet filed into the room.
"Since when does Holly have twins?"
"Since now."
"Holly's pregnant? Cool!" No1 strode into the room, followed by Qwan and Foaly.
"Did I hear correctly? Twins?" asked Qwan.
"Yes."
"Congratulations. You guys will be parents in three months."
"Three months?" Holly asked, struggling to sit up. No1 whipped a pillow behind her to support her back.
"Speed pregnancy," he answered, "It happens to fairies are having twins. They mature faster than regular fairies."
"Well, three months is better than six, isn't it?" Holly asked jokingly.